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(11)

EP 1 345 729 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 24.09.2003 Bulletin 2003/39 (21) Application number: 01939013.7 (22) Date of filing: 08.05.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: B23K 20/12, B23K 37/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0115/084 (87) International publication number: WO 0108/5385 (15.11.2001 Gazette 2001/46)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO (30) Priority: 08.05.2000 US 202665 P (71) Applicants: Brigham Young University Provo, UT 84602-1231 (US) Packer, Scott Alpine, UT 84004 (US) Felter, Paul Allen Layton, UT 84040 (US)	(72) Inventors: NELSON, Tracy, W. Provo, UT 84601 (US) SORENSEN, Carl, D. Provo, UT 84604 (US) PACKER, Scott Alpine, UT 84004 (US) FELTER, Paul, Allen Layton, UT 84040 (US) (74) Representative: Schrell, Andreas, Dr. et al Gleiss & GrosseLeitzstrasse 45 70469 Stuttgart 70469 Stuttgart (DE)